When sending SMS in regions that do not support 2-way conversational messaging, it is still imperative that a compliant SMS program gives recipients a proper way to unsubscribe. This means offering a clear and communicated method that a recipient can take in order to opt-out of receiving your text messages. With BlazeSMS, you can add the {unsubscribe_link} merge tag to any message, to automatically add this dynamic opt-out link.
Opt out requirement examples by region:
- European Union (GDPR): Requires clear opt-out mechanisms, but doesn't explicitly mandate a "STOP" reply. However, consent and ease of opt-out must be demonstrably available. Using “STOP” to opt out is generally considered a common practice. Whenever unavailable, an unsubscribe link should be used.
- UK (PECR): Similar rules apply; alphanumeric senders usually must provide alternative easy opt-out methods (e.g., via a website).
- Australia (Spam Act): Requires explicit opt-out instructions in the SMS, usually via URL or other simple methods.
- Czech Republic and other EU countries: Typically, a link to an opt-out webpage is acceptable, given that reply-based opt-outs aren't technically feasible.
Blaze SMS offers both “STOP” and URL options
With Blaze SMS, if someone replies with “STOP”, they will be automatically opted out. If you are in a country that does not support 2-way messaging, and therefore doesn’t support “STOP” to opt out, you can add the merge tag {unsusbcribe_link} to any message, and this will automatically be replaced with a short URL to a custom unsubscribe page dedicated for this user. The user can visit this link at any time and explicitly opt-out. All opt-out events in any manner can be easily tracked through your Analytics → Events page.
Opt-out links use our proprietary TrueLink short url service
While other SMS services might make you use their own branded links in your SMS messages, BlazeSMS gives you the benefit of using trackable short urls that originate from your own domain. This makes it less likely that your messages get filtered, and gives recipients the confidence that the link they are clicking on is not spam. You can read more about TrueLink here.
The opt-out page, and automatic language detection
You can view an example opt-out page here (in english). The opt-out page generated by BlazeSMS will automatically adjust its language based on the country of the phone number to whom the originating message was sent. Every opt-out page is customized based on the recipient that received the message. This helps ensure that you maintain proper compliance.
Testing your unsubscribe link
With BlazeSMS, you can very easily test your unsubscribe link
- First, make sure your phone number is subscribed.
- Send a message to your phone number using the
{unsubscribe_link}merge tag. - Open the message on your phone, click the link, and click the on-page button to unsubscribe.
- To re-subscribe, simply send the word “START”, and you’ll be automatically re-subscribed.
